Almost one year after it closed, Talbot House, a Cape Breton addictions recovery centre, will reopen as early as April, the Department of Health and Wellness announced Wednesday.

“We’re pleased. I know the people of Cape Breton have been anxious to find out what was going on with Talbot House,” Health and Wellness Minister David Wilson said in an interview.

“We’ve worked extremely hard over the last number of months to go through the (request for proposals) process to evaluate the proposal put forward by Talbot House.”

Rev. Paul Abbass will be the centre’s executive director.

He stepped down from the position last February after unspecified allegations were raised against him. A month later, the centre, which had operated for 52 years, was closed by the province after a Community Services Department review cited a list of problems.

A police investigation cleared Abbass of any wrongdoing and he was reinstated to the position last September.

During its closure, the Talbot House board of directors maintained that the Community Services review was deeply flawed in its design and execution, and that the report contained numerous factual errors and unfounded conclusions.

The province issued a request for proposals to run an addiction house to replace the centre last fall. Talbot House, an independent, non-profit facility in Frenchvale that provides housing and supports for up to 21 men in recovery from addiction, was the only bidder.

Under the new deal, the province will provide $392,000 for annual operational costs, including staffing, and $10,000 to replace kitchen equipment.

An additional $52,000, a one-time grant that is also being offered to four other recovery houses, will be provided to assist with employee training.

“As you can imagine, there’s been a lot happening behind the scenes in terms of discussion with the premier and with the Department of Health and Wellness,” John Gainer, chairman of the Talbot House board of directors, said.

“Obviously, it’s an opportunity to be pleased with this outcome and to feel a very deep sense of gratitude for all of the support that the board has received from our various communities.”

Gainer said the announcement shows the province, despite the condeming report, has the “full confidence in the board and in Talbot House.”

“We are being fully funded by the Department of Health and Wellness, with the same board of directors, the same executive director. Key staff members are returning. We have the same accounting and auditing practices, the same building, in the same location and the same fundamental program philosophy.

“We see that as a very strong endorsement from the government, a very strong exoneration of Talbot House in this affair and we can now move on.”

Gainer said some of the centre’s former employees suffered financially during the shutdown.

“So we’re happy to … have the opportunity to bring some key individuals back on staff,” Gainer said.

Talbot House will be advertising for four positions, bringing the total staff complement to about seven.

Bishop Brian Joseph Dunn, head of the Diocese of Antigonish, welcomed Wednesday’s long-anticipated government announcement.

“We all recognize the need for this service and acknowledge the tremendous work this service has provided to the people of Nova Scotia for over 50 years,” Dunn said.

“This announcement comes after a most difficult and challenging year for the residents, the executive director and staff and the board of directors of Talbot House. However, in large part, it was these very groups and individuals, whose commitment to the values of Talbot House … have brought us to this day.”